Mimosa tree in trouble

susie.new

Hello, my neighbours chopped my mimosa tree back hard last autumn (long story) and I’d been convinced it was doomed. However, recently it’s started to push through multiple green ‘tufts’ and I’m hoping this means it might eventually develop new branches. Am I misguided? Secondly, if the tree doesn’t develop more than this I was thinking of growing something colourful up the trunk instead. I’d love a wisteria but maybe a clematis would work. Any thoughts?

greenlove

You're not misguided. It is definitely sprouting new branches. It doesnt matter whether it's prunned back hard on not. Most trees will survive and come back to life as long as the trunk and root system are intact. Is that the real mimosa? The one with the fragrant yellow fluffy ball flowers?

Borderline

They may develop new branches but will take a while, judging by the size of some of those branches. It's always best to prune them slowly over a few years (thinning and shorten) so the shape is not affected.

Chopping back hard will produce water shoots where small tightly packed branches start forming from aged branches, quite similar to what may be happening with your tree. Unfortunately, there is not much you can do now, but just wait for it to fill out again. Hopefully, in time the tree will bush out to hide the old pruning areas.

mikeymustard

susie.new said:

Hello, my neighbours chopped my mimosa tree back hard last autumn (long story) ........

We've got plenty of time, do tell